Combined foldable table and chairs



Oct. 29, 1935. E. WEINBAUM COMBINED FOLDABLE TABLE AND,CHAIRS Filed Aug. 21, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l INIVENTOR ffdwarcz welnal/flfl/ WITNESSES 5 am ATTORN EY6 Oct. 29, 1935. E. WEINBAUM 2,019,374

COMBINED FOLDABLE TABLE AND CHAIRS Filed Aug. 21, 1934 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNyENTOR glTNESSES dwara? ebnbaum/ ATTOR Oct. 29, 1935.

E. WEINBAUM COMBINED FOLDABLE TABLE AND CHAIRS Filed Aug. 21, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 |N.V.ENTOR w T. v PM;

' cfclwamd Weznbaum ATTORN EY-S Patented Oct. 29, 1935 UNITED .j

ATENT orrlcs 2 Claims.

This invention relates to combined tables and chairs, the object being to provide an improved construction which may be folded into a comparatively small package, and which may be unfolded quickly, and when unfolded will present a table structure with chairs associated therewith.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a table which may be used for picnics and in other places where a knockdown or collapsible structure is desirable, the structure being such that the table may be readily folded along with the attached chairs, or may be unfolded quickly so as not only to present a table structure but seats properly positioned in respect to the table.

A further object more in detail is the provision of a combined arrangement of table and chairs formed so that the table may be ready to be folded into approximately one-quarter its size, and the chairs folded against the folded portions of the table, so as to present a comparatively compact package.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a combined table and chairs disclosing an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective View of the lower part of the connection between the respective chairs and the table;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through Figure 1 approximately on the line 3-3;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view through Figure 1 on the line 44;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the parts folded;

Figure 6 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a bottom plan view of part of the table shown in Figure l, the same being on an enlarged scale and illustrating one of the locking clips;

Figure 8 is a sectional view through Figure 7 approximately on the line 88;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary perspective view showing adjacent portions of the table illustrated in Figure 1, with a swinging clip for aligning two sections of the table;

Figure 10 is a plan View of the table when it is partly folded;

Figure 11 is a central sectional View through the table after the same has been completely folded.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numeral, I indicates a central plate forming part of the table 2. To this central plate is hingedly connected the sections 3, 4, 5 and 6, the connection being by suitable hinges. As indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, the hinges I connect the sections 5 and 6 to plate I, while the respective hinges 1 connect the respective sections 3 and 5 together and 4 and 6 together. It will be understood that all of these hinges are constructed exactly alike, the same being identical in all respects except that they are mounted on different 10 places as indicated. This hinge structure is illustrated more particularly in Figures l, 5 and 6, from which it will be seen that there is provided a floating brace connection 8 and hinge plates 9 and it]. otherwise rigidly secured to sections 4 and 6. Each of these plates is provided with an areshaped portion II having a slot 12. There is provided a rivet [3 for each slot l2, and around each rivet there is a spacer M which fits into the 20 slot. The plates 9 and H) are identical and arranged side by side as indicated in Figure 6, so that the parts may swing from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 5, and then back, if desired, to the position shown in Figure 25 4. When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4 the inner plate of member 8 contacts with sections 4 and 6 and with plates 9 and ii] and associated parts form a brace or bridge to firmly connect and support the members 4 and 6. 30

It will be understood that the table 2 may be made from any desired metal as, for instance, steel, aluminum, or other metal. It is also understood that either all or part of the table could be made from wood, or other material but it is 35 preferably made out of some strong, stifi material.

In order to support the table 2 without providing the usual legs now in common use, a number of chairs have been provided which act in 40 the double capacity of chairs and as legs. These are shown permanently connected by hinges l5 (Fig. 3) but they could be connected by disengageable fastening means, if desired, instead of by means of hinges 15. However, as shown, these 5 hinges connect the respective posts I6 which are braced by a toggle brace i'l pivotally connected to post i6 at I8 and pivotally connected at iii to a suitable bracket secured to table 2. From Figs.

3 and 11 it will be seen that the respective posts 0 16 are cut away near the respective hinges l5 so that the ends l5 of the respective posts may rest against the blocks 15 and thereby take the strain ofi the hinges when the parts are in functioning position. The joint 20 is arranged 55 Hinge plates 9 and 10 are riveted or 15 centrally of the brace l1, said joint being of the usual kind found in trunk braces of this kind so that it may be folded readily in one direction but will be stiff when folded slightly past dead center in the opposite direction, thus providing a desired brace when the parts are as shown in Figure 3.

The post I6 as shown particularly in Figure 2 is provided with a reduced extension [6' rigidly secured to a bar 2| round in cross section, said bar being surrounded by a curled or tubular portion 22 of the seat 23, which is shown as being made of metal. A slot 24 is also formed in the tubular portion of the curled part 22 so that a desired swinging movement of the parts may be had when the same are being folded. However, when the parts are as shown in Figure 3 the post It through the bar 2! supports the table 2. The seat 23 is not only provided with a tubular part 22 but with a semi-tubular portion 25 fitting over the bar 26 which connects the two uprights of the leg structure 21 together. The two uprights 28 are pivotally connected with the end of bar 2i and the pivotal point 28 is further from bar 2| than it is from bar 26 so that the legs 21 may be swung to a position within the legs 23. As the legs 21 swing to a position within legs 28, bar 26 slides along seat 23, as shown particularly in Figure 10 these leg members are U-shaped and one may readily swing within the other. A bracing and connecting strap 39 is riveted at 35 to the tubular or curved portion 22 and is riveted at 32 to the semi-tubular portion 25 whereby the bar 26 cannot accidentally move away, from the seat 23. Each of the chair structures 33, 34, 35 and 36 are constructed as just described and particularly pointed out in Figure 3, and when the various chair structures are assembled for operation as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the table 2 is also in operable position.

In order to lock the various sections 3 to 6 together there are provided locking clips 31 connecting the respective sections, there being four clips as illustrated in Figure 1. Each of these clips is provided with a U-shaped portion 38 adapted to straddle the adjacent parts of the respective sections, and an extension 39 carrying a rivet 49 which acts as its pivotal support. The U-shaped structure 33 is made so as to snugly fit the sections so that they will be aligned and properly braced.

In addition to the clips 31 there are also provided locking structures between sections 3 and 6, and 4 and 5, said locking structures including in each instance a locking bar 4! pivoted at 42 and when in locking position extending beneath the clip 43 which is riveted at 44. The knob 45 is connected to the free end of the locking bar 4! so that it may be swung to locked position, as shown in Figure '1, or to unlocked position as indicated in dotted lines 56. When in unlocked position the bar 4! is fitted under a resilient clip 41 riveted at 48. This provides a connection between the sections 3 and 6, and 4 and 5, while the hinges 1, which are of the same construction as the hinges 1 provide additional connections between sections 3 and 5, and 4 and 3.

When the parts are positioned as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the table and chairs are ready for use. When it is desired to fold the same the locking bar M is moved to unlocked position and the clip 31 swung outwardly so as to free the various sections. If desired the table could be inverted during this operation. After the table has been released as above described, the various legs 21 of the respective chairs are swung to a position within the legs 28 and the brace I1 moved so that it will fold, after which the post [6 will 5 be swung to the right from the position shown in Figure 3 and the nested legs will be swung to the left. Section 4 with its chair will then be swung over on top of section 6, chair 36 resting on top of chair 33. After this has been done the section 10 3 of the table will be swung over against section 5 and chair 34 will be swung over on top of chair 35. When the parts have been folded as just described they will appear as shown in Figure 10. From this figure the parts are swung on the re- 15 spective hinges 1 to the position shown in Figure 11, which is full nested or folded position. When in this position the table is folded to its smallest extent and may be transported as desired.

When it is again desired to use the table, the 20 reverse action takes place, viz: the legs 21 and 28 at the left as shown in Figure 3 are swung to the right, whereupon the parts will assume the position shown in Figure 10. Chair 36 may then be swung over or away from chair 33, and also 25 chair 34 may be swung over or away from chair 35. After this has been done the parts are adjusted to the position shown in Figure 3 and then turned over so that the chairs will rest on the ground. If desired, part of the unfolding might 30 be done after the table has been turned over so that it will be right side up.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described including a rectangular table formed with a central 35 plate, four sections, means for hinging two of the sections to said central plate, means for hinging the other two sections to the sections hinged to the central plate, means for disengageably locking all of said sections together in a flat condition, and a combined chair and support connected to 40 each corner of said table.

2. In a device of the character described, a rectangular table formed with a central square plate, four sections formed rectangular except at their inner part where one corner is cut off to fit against said square plate, hinges connecting two of said sections to said square plate, auxiliary hinges connecting the other sections to the sections hinged to said square plate, a locking clip pivotally carried by each section adjacent the outer edge and at the inner corner thereof, said clips being positioned so that when swung to one position they will straddle the edge of the next adjacent section for locking the respective sections in the same plane, a pair of locking bars on certain sections and engaging clips on others of said sections, a folding chair structure for each corner of the table and a support hinged to the outer corner of each of said sections and hingedly supported from the respective chair structures for hingedly connecting said chair structures to said sections, said hinges being positioned so that when folded each section will lie fiat against another section and each of said chair structures will lie close to its associated section with the sections and the chair structures in parallel planes, and a foldable brace pivotally secured at one end to each of said supports intermediate the length of the support, said braces at the opposite ends being pivotally secured to the respective sections.

EDWARD WEINBAUM. 

